Bad luck continues to haunt Hermen Kobus

27-05-2013

"4th place was in sight"

Sezoensrally - May 18, 2013

Friday, the day before the start of the fourth round of the BFO Belgian Rally Championship, Hermen Kobus and Erik de Wild realized they could do a golden business regarding the Belgian rally championship. After having retired from the Rally of Wallonia, where the Fiesta S2000 was felled by a problem with the cooling, aim was to score maximum points in Class 2 and achieve a good overall ranking.

"The absence of Melissa Debackere and Vincent Verschueren means that we absolutely have to take 10 points back home. Moreover we will have to try to take maximum points home in the overall ranking. Now that it’s wet and muddy, the WRC’s do not have the great power advantage. Moreover, the Dutch WRC’s will not be able to interfere in the points battle. I’m convinced that these circumstances will prove to be in our advantage.”

Saturday, after the first round of four stages, the strategy showed to be the right one. The Ford Fiesta Super 2000 was in fifth place overall, just behind the untouchable WRC’s of Loix, Van Loon, Wevers and De Jong.

"We are where we should be," laughed Hermen. "It promises to be a tough competition as a result of the bad gravel conditions. We try to drive at a good pace, without taking risks. We already are half a minute ahead of Gunther Monnens with his Lancer EvoX, the third pilot that is able to gain points for the Belgian championship."

In the more dry second round of stages, Hermen was able to hold position just behind the WRCs. Just when he could have benefited from the puncture of Bob de Jong, who lost 3”51 on SS8, the Ford Fiesta Super 2000 refused service. A mechanical failure in the fuel circuit stopped the team from earning 18 points in the Belgian Rally Championship.

"We found the cause of the problem; a crack in the hose in the fuel tank which was purchased brand-new at M-Sport. This is unacceptable, the disappointment is huge. Losing a top four position in this way is sad, very sad... "